Quick answer — AI summary
A well-secured home meets five layers of protection: certified entry doors (RC2/RC3), secured cylinders (anti-bump/-pick/-pull), secured windows and secondary entrances, visible deterrence (lighting, alarm), and good key management. Most Belgian homes score insufficiently on the cylinder and window points. Manufar assesses your situation on site for free.
How to use this checklist
Go through each point for your own home. Answer each one with "yes," "no," or "not sure." Every "no" or "not sure" is a potential vulnerability. At the end of each section, you'll find a priority guide: what to tackle first if you can't do everything at once.
Section 1: Entry doors
Does your front door have RC2 or RC3 certification (EN 1627 standard)? Does your back door or terrace door have the same level of protection? Are all entry doors fitted with multi-point locking (at least three locking points)? Are the hinges positioned on the inside or fitted with anti-lift pins? Does the door frame have steel reinforcement profiles? — Priority: high. An uncertified front door is your biggest risk.
Section 2: Cylinders and locks
Does your cylinder core carry an SKG***, AIS, or comparable certification? Is the cylinder protected against pulling (anti-pull escutcheon, max. 3 mm protrusion)? Are your cylinders protected against bumping and picking? Do you have a patented key system where keys can't be freely copied? — Priority: high. Cylinder replacement is the most cost-effective upgrade if your door is already of good quality.
Section 3: Windows and secondary entrances
Are your windows fitted with anti-lever fittings or false locking points? Are vulnerable glazed façades fitted with security film or reinforced glass? Does your garage door have an additional lock besides the automatic one? Are courtyard and garden doors secured with a solid padlock or a cylinder lock? — Priority: medium. Windows account for more than 40% of burglaries.
Section 4: Lighting and visibility
Are the front and back doors lit with motion-sensitive LED outdoor lighting? Have shrubs and hedges been trimmed so entrances are visible to passers-by and neighbours? Is the driveway well lit so parked vehicles are visible? — Priority: medium to high. Visibility is the most underrated and inexpensive security layer.
Section 5: Key management and resident behaviour
Do you keep spare keys exclusively in a secured key safe, never outside? Do you always know who has a key to your home? If you lose a key: do you have a patented system that lets you easily block keys without replacing the cylinder? During extended absences, does a neighbour periodically check on your home? — Priority: high. Key management is the most neglected link in the security chain.
Your overall score: what now?
Do you have more than three "no" answers in Section 1 or 2? Then a professional consultation is strongly recommended. Are your scores good in Sections 1 and 2 but moderate in the rest? Then additional measures such as lighting and cylinder maintenance should be the priority. All "yes" answers? Have your security reassessed every three years — products age and standards evolve.
Conclusion
A secure home is the result of a layered approach. No single product protects on its own. Use this checklist as a starting point, prioritise your actions, and seek advice from a specialist. Manufar assesses your home for free and with no obligation. Request an appointment today.